Setting Hearts On Fire: Fanning The Flames (by Laura Milner)

 This story comes to us from Laura Milner originally posted on her blog.

A fire must be tended to, there has to be someone keeping an eye on it, keeping watch and fanning the flames. Even the most well-built fire will burn out if there is no one stoking it.

For this reason, I am reminding you to fan into flames the gift of God that is within you … 2 Timothy 1:6

You can never have too many Fire Stokers. Fire Stokers are the people in your ministry that come along side teens and love them , encourage them and build them up in Christ. Fire Stokers see the gifts in them and help them to be the person God created them to be. Fire Stokers are Disciple Makers!

Fire Stokers are most often behind the scene hero’s. They are there when you need them and just have a knack for connecting with teens and build long-lasting relationships.

I am blessed to have several amazing Fire Stokers in my life. They call and text me to see how I am doing, they know what to say to encourage me. They also are not afraid to tell me when I am going the wrong way or pursuing things I shouldn’t. They have chosen to be a part of my life for the long haul and have taken on the task of fanning the flames in my heart.

What a gift that is. How special would a teen feel if they had several Fire Stokers in their lives? Several adults who love them, who are there for them and who see their potential. Every teen deserves that. Every teen is worth that.

So you might ask, “How do I fan the flames?”. It’s simple, live life with the teens in your youth group. Call them, ask them how they are doing, and be there for them. Once you start and commit to loving teens it becomes easy. The girls that I disciple are part of my daily life. From texting to phone calls, to going to school events and having one on one coffee dates. They come with my family on hiking trips and hang out at my house after school. They are a part of my life and I am a part of their life. By being a part of their lives I get to be there for the exciting times and for the hard times. I get the honor of watching them graduate from High School and stand beside them when they worship.

Discipling teens is not a burden it is a blessing. Following Christs call in your life to disciple is never going to take away from the life you live, it will only add to it. Being a Fire Stoker has given me the opportunity to know and love so many extraordinary teens. It is my hope that you would prove to the teens in your church that they are worthy of your time. That their fire is worth tending. That someone cares for them enough to invest in them and love them.

Everyone NEEDS someone to fan their flames… because even a strong fire will burn out without someone standing guard to protect it from vanishing.  You can have the honor of playing a critical part in the lives of teens.

Be a Disciple Maker!

My main purpose in creating “Strengthening the Chain” is to be a Fire Stoker in the lives of leaders in the church. So many leaders burn out and walk away from ministry because they don’t have anyone pouring into them. They don’t have people loving them, encouraging them and fanning the flames of their talents. I want to be there for leaders across the country and around the world. If you or someone you know needs encouragement, please please contact me or leave me a message. I would love to lift you up in prayer, to encourage you in your ministry. This is why Strengthening the Chain is here. To build strong leaders who will then build strong disciples for Christ. Praying for each of you who are reading this. May God pour His blessings on you as you seek to honor Him with the life He has given you!

I want to thank Laura for allowing us to feature her wonderful post here at YouthStory.

Laura Milner

@jclv4me Simi Valley, CA

Creator of Strengthening The Chain. I live my life for Christ. I live passionately and love with all my heart. I'm a wife, mother, youth leader & photographer.

http://www.strengtheningthechain.com/